STATS CAN SAYS SASKATCHEWAN OVER 1,000,000 PEOPLE

Released on March 28, 2002

Saskatchewan's latest population figures continue to show the province at

well over a million people.



Quarterly population figures released by Statistics Canada today indicate

the province's population was estimated at 1,013,035 as of January 1st.

That's a small drop - 0.1 per cent -- from the population estimate on

October 1st, 2001.



The estimates are based on the 1996 Census. The numbers from the recently

released 2001 Census will be used as the base for population estimates in

2003.



"This small decline reflects our continuing challenges in agriculture,"

Industry and Resources Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "We've gone

through several difficult years in our agriculture sector that have

affected our entire economy, and last year was especially tough with the

drought.



"But there is plenty of reason for optimism. Our job numbers have shown

improvement in recent months, and most of our economic indicators are very

positive. That economic turnaround should have a long-term, positive

impact on our population figures."



Job numbers were up 5,800 in February over January (seasonally adjusted).

Oil and gas production, potash sales, business incorporations, urban

housing starts, building permits and new motor vehicle sales are all up, as

are the estimates for capital investment this year.



Lautermilch said the new population figures are consistent with slow

population growth across the rest of the nation.



"Our economy has seen its share of challenges recently, but our

diversification efforts of the last decade have allowed us to meet those

challenges," Lautermilch said. "We are continuing to build a province of

opportunity through our program of sustainable tax cuts, sound fiscal

management and investments in infrastructure - reflected once again in

yesterday's ninth balanced budget in a row.



"Through our plan and through our new focused Industry and Resources

Department, we will help our people and businesses seize the economic

opportunities that will result in more jobs and more people for

Saskatchewan."



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Industry and Resources

Regina

Phone (306) 787-1691